Where to eat around Lagoa, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo, Benagil & Porches
O Barril (Ferragudo)
We went here once for a family meal and it was one that satisfied all tastebuds. The service was amazing, servings were generous. We completely recommend.
Bon Bon (Carvoeiro)
This is a Michelin starred restaurant. Algarve has several and Lagoa boasts with many of the stars in the whole country. We went here once for Bruno's 30th birthday, still under Chef Rui Silvestre. We want to go back now under Chef José Lopes but we had the opportunity to try his food twice already, at Arriba Portimão in 2021 and more recently at the Rolha Wine Bar Christmas Market in December 2023. Exquisite service, food, a gem so close to home and our properties, not to miss. Just a pity is doesn't have an ocean view but the food needs no artifices!
Borda do Cais (Ferragudo)
We went here twice and it just by the fisherman's beach in Ferragudo. Generous servings with the freshest fish - of course! - and very good service. We completely recommend.
O Charneco (Estômbar)
We went here once but this little restaurant in the little town of Estômbar had to make it to this list. This restaurant is very special as you just sit down and you start eating, you cannot chose the menu. It's a prix-fixe one with small very local dishes, some will ask for an adquired taste such as the dried tuna. But if you didn't come to Algarve to eat another avocado toast you can have anywhere else in the world, this is the spot for you. Call before heading there to confirm if it's open that day, knowing that when it does, it's only for dinner.
Club Nau (Ferragudo)
We went there several times, in the summer for a cocktail and in the winter, for lunch. The winter experience was amazing: just two days before Christmas, it was sunny, the beach was beautiful, the service was very good and the food was amazing. We didn't have the exact same vibe whilst going in the summer - it's so cool it's too busy - but we love their open beach front and live music. We recommend.
Earth Shop & Café (Carvoeiro)
We cannot count how many times we have been to Earth in the past decade. 50 times? 100? It's our favourite spot for breakfast and has a beautiful gourmet shop that showcases Algarve's best. Service is amazing, food is incredible and they are consistent in what they offer. We cannot stop recommending it for anything in their menu, from their homemade granola to the amazing croissants, the copious salads and wraps... just go there! Now!
Etxea (Carvoeiro)
Edited as we visited in June 2024
A cosy place that you might not even notice at first when you're on Rua dos Pescadores in Carvoeiro, one of the main arteries of the city that leads to the beach. But rest assured, as much as it is discreet, the food is beautifully done by chef Tomé Cardoso and the service is more than competent. We had a copious seafood dinner with a saucy shrimp appetizer and a taco (we thought we would be hungry, but one dish was more than enough) and then we went for the lamb (for him) and a seabass fillet (for her). We had a bit of space for one more dish and had ice cream to finish it off. We will definitely come back!
Ferragudu's Terrace (Ferragudo)
We have been here a couple of times and we always love the experience. Service is very energetic - young & beautiful people, eager to please - and they keep it flowing. The cocktails are incredible but the showstopper is always the seafood, that you see as soon as you enter the restaurant on the lower floor. We love the terrace - very open yet small and cosy - and we love when the restaurant is filled with laughter and champagne flutes clinking. A must in Ferragudo!
Garden Carvoeiro (Carvoeiro)
This is one of our most recent discoveries of 2024 and we cannot wait to go back. Garden has beautiful food done right, a superb service with amazing attention to detail. Also the spot is stunning with several spaces that connect beautifully. It also has an adventurous menu and wine list, that showcase an international experience with the freshest local ingredients. Also has live music every saturday. We completely recommend this place.
Gaspacho & Migas (Lagoa)
There aren't many stunning restaurants in the center of Lagoa so Gaspacho & Migas is really the showstopper. Jess has been here once for a dinner date with a girlfriend and it was recommended by fellow foodies. Service is very good and the food is delicious and has international influences. A very high brow experience suitable for a stunning date.
O Leão de Porches (Porches)
This was a restaurant that was on our list for a long time and that was on all the "not to miss in Algarve" videos we would watch. Very good food. We didn't have the most incredible experience but we need to go back once again to confirm or deny. Yet we recommend it because it deserves it.
Levels Carvoeiro (Carvoeiro)
A more recent opening in Carvoeiro and right on the beach, the name is the most appropriate in the land: Levels has several floors for different experiences from one to the other. We tried their restaurant for a dinner date and the service was exquisite. The food incredible. We just loved it. We cannot wait to go back!
O Pescador (Benagil)
One of our favourites in beautiful Benagil yet it's so tiny that getting a table is not easy. We love the service, the views and their amazing cataplanas made in proper typical copper pans!
Quinta dos Santos (Carvoeiro)
We have been to Quinta dos Santos since it's opening (and even saw it beforehand under construction and were very intrigued by the beautiful design) and it used to have the most amazing food ever, with the gorgeous winery views. Alas the chef has changed and we didn't love our last experience, we didn't identify their unique touch we so loved. But we still recommend the spot for a nibble and a wine or a beer that they do on the spot. We also considered getting married here, that's how stunning the place really is. Go for a sunset, you won't regret it!
Rei das Praias (Praia dos Caneiros)
Boy oh boy, OUR MAJOR STAR in this whole list! We have been here several times and it's our "let's celebrate" restaurant: we have been for birthdays and to celebrate closing the deal on a house purchase. The place is gorgeous, the food is stunning, the service is superior. We love coming for seafood appetizers like the fish soup or clams or shrimp and then we almost always order the freshest grilled fish with sides. If you are a dessert person, go for the carob tart, it's out of this world. We also love Rei das Praias for cocktails and to use their stunning beach facilities with cocktails in two. Just our style.
Rolha Wine Bar (Porches)
We went to Rolha Wine Bar for the first time for their annual Christmas Market fest and loved the owners' enthusiasm to boost the food community around Algarve. Other then their extensive wine knowledge and collection, they also have the best petiscos (Portuguese Tapas).
Jess
Salga Ferragudo (Ferragudo)
Edited as we visited a second time in May 2024
Jess went first here with a girlfriend for dinner and then with Bruno for a weekday lunch alfresco. Salga is new fixture in Ferragudo and a sister restaurant to aforementioned O Barril, also in Ferragudo. Energetic service, open kitchen, terrific food. Not only it is stunning but very good. We loved the shrimp tempura, the ceviche, the mushroom risotto, the white fish with the veggie spaghetti and the octopus with pak choi. In three words: deliciously aesthetic food!
Tapas da Vila (Carvoeiro)
Bruno's family invited us to one of their local and we were glad to go as we wouldn't have seen it by ourselves. A small restaurant that focuses on little dishes to share (Petiscos / portuguese Tapas) that are copious and delicious. Do not come here if you have high cholesterol! We loved the shrimp, the squidfish, the chicken wings and the mushrooms. We recommend and it's right on the beach!
Touriga Wine & Dine (Carvoeiro)
We have been to Touriga countless times (even before when it changed management and used to be called Terroir!) and we already shared our experience for Valentine's Day here, check it out.
Jess
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